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UAE Desert Challenge: Volkswagen´s Sainz continues in second place.

One day before the end of the UAE Desert Challenge the Volkswagen factory drivers Carlos Sainz and Michel Perin (Spain/France) in second place overall continue on their course for the title in the 2007 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup. On the 339-kilometre loop they initially took the lead on Thursday, but then lost 18 minutes after getting stuck in the sand and finished the day in fourth place place. Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany), who stopped and assisted Sainz/Périn in freeing the vehicle, set the third-best stage time and asserted their fourth place in the overall standings. On Friday, the teams are expected at the finish in Dubai after a 286-kilometre final leg.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director): "Today it was obvious that sand shovels are part and parcel of this sport. Carlos was leading for a long time but unfortunately got stuck later. Giniel and Dirk helped Carlos and Michel, the crews truly showed the meaning of teamwork here. We’re very satisfied with our performances so far, as the conditions here are more difficult for vehicles and drivers than on the most extreme legs during the Dakar Rally. We’re hoping for a good Friday, which would mean that we could celebrate our second World Cup title win after 2005 in the evening."

Carlos Sainz (E): "Everything was going really well, we saw the intermediate times and knew that we were faster than Mitsubishi, so we decided to drive a little slower. I followed the motorcycle tracks and, unfortunately, got stuck in a hole. Luckily, Giniel and Dirk, who passed by a little later, helped us. We’re expecting a difficult last leg, our chances for overall victory are slim, but in the World Cup things are looking very good for us."

Giniel de Villiers (RSA): "Today’s route resembled a typical ‘Dakar’ leg with smaller dunes more than the legs on the days before did. After 130 kilometres Nasser Al-Attiyah overtook us, we followed him. Later, we saw Luc Alphand’s Mitsubishi standing, he had hit a hole and the car was damaged. A little after that, we reached Carlos Sainz, who had gotten stuck in a dip. We helped Carlos and Michel and followed them to the finish."